The 2013 NFL draft generally is considered to lack the talent of the past few years, and that could lead to more teams offering up their picks for future selections. It also could lead to teams looking to find talent that already is in the league and might be available in a trade.

Enter Patriots backup quarterback Ryan Mallett. The former Arkansas star has had two years learning under Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, and with the lack of elite quarterbacks in this year’s draft, he is an appealing option (as WEEI.com’s Chris Pricecovered here last month).

According to multiple reports Thursday, the Patriots have received numerous calls about Mallet’s availability. New England picked up Mallett in the third round in 2011 and reportedly wouldn’t take less than a second-rounder for him.

According to Greg Bedard of The Boston Globe, one team that might have interest is the Browns. New general manager Mike Lombardi raved about Mallett when Lombardi worked for NFL Network, and Lombardi’s son, Mick, was a coaching/scouting assistant with the Patriots and got a first-hand look at Mallett in practices.

The other quarterback on the Patriots roster is Mike Kafka, although the team reportedly has been heavily scouting QBs in this year’s draft.

In 2012, Mallet completed 1-of-4 passes for 17 yards and was intercepted once.

‘¢ The 22nd overall pick that the Rams received from the Redskins last year is said to be for sale. ESPN’s Adam Schefter made the Rams’ intentions clear on Twitter.

The team also has the 16th overall pick and likely would attempt to trade down to obtain more picks. Last season, coach Jeff Fisher and general manager Les Snead had a good draft, picking up Michael Brockers, Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson, among others.

‘¢ ESPN’s John Clayton reports that the Vikings “would like to find a way to take Manti Te’o” in the first round. The Notre Dame linebacker’s future is uncertain following his fake-girlfriend issue and his disappointing in the national championship game.

WEEI.com will continue to provide daily insight and analysis regarding options that might be available to the Patriots when it comes to the 2013 NFL draft. Here is one is a series of profiles of players who could be on the board when it’s time for the Patriots to make a selection.

What he brings: While not a prototypical 6-foot-plus receiver, Wheaton makes up for it with his quickness and agility. Many scouts have been impressed with Wheaton’s knack for consistently gaining a first step on his defenders. Even on poor throws from the quarterback, Wheaton has shown that he can adjust quickly or make the difficult over-the-shoulder catch on deep routes. Wheaton, also a terrific track athlete at Oregon State, has been compared to Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown.

Where the Patriots could get him: Round 2

Notes: Before the 2012 season, Wheaton was chosen as one of Oregon State’s four co-captains. By the end of his senior season, Wheaton finished as the school’s all-time leader in receptions with 227. In his final season, he passed the likes of James Rodgers, Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh. In a September 2012 win over Arizona, Wheaton hauled in 10 receptions for 166 yards and two touchdowns. … His brother Marquese was an All-Conference USA cornerback for Southern Mississippi in 2011. Marquese signed with the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent last summer but was cut during training camp.

WEEI.com will continue to provide daily insight and analysis regarding options that might be available to the Patriots when it comes to the 2013 NFL draft. Here is one is a series of profiles of players who could be on the board when it’s time for the Patriots to make a selection.

Notes: In 2012, Lattimore set the University of South Carolina school record for career touchdowns (34). Also that season, he suffered a severe knee injury against Tennessee, ending his season early for the second consecutive season. In the 2011 season Lattimore ranked near the top of both the SEC and country in rushing yards per game (116.9).

WEEI.com will continue to offer daily insight and analysis regarding options that might be available to the Patriots when it comes to the 2013 NFL draft. Here is one is a series of profiles of players who could be on the board when it’s time for the Patriots to make a selection.

What he brings: Williams’ height has helped him with potential jump balls in the red zone. NFL.com notes that he is good at shaking his defender off the line and credits him with the speed to gain a step down the sideline. It is also being said that Williams tracks the ball and adjusts to it in the air, and has showcased the ability to stop and turn for the back-shoulder fade. CBS Sports points out Williams’ blocking ability and his efforts in route adjustments. Some scouts have compared him to Ravens receiver Torrey Smith.

Where the Patriots could get him: Round 2

Notes: Williams will leave Baylor with eight school records to his name, including career all-purpose yards (4,693), single-season receiving yards (1,832 in 2012), single-season yards per game (140.9 in 2012), single game receptions (17 in 2012), and single-game receiving yards (314 in 2012). His 2012 receiving yards and yards per game total also led the entire nation.

WEEI.com will continue to offer daily insight and analysis regarding options that might be available to the Patriots when it comes to the 2013 NFL draft. Here is one of a series of profiles of players who could be on the board when it’s time for the Patriots to make a selection.

KHASEEM GREENE

Position: Outside linebacker

School: Rutgers

Height: 6-foot-1

Weight: 241 pounds

Achievements: 2012 All-Big East first team (coaches), 2012 Big East Defensive Player of the Year (coaches), 2011 Big East Co-Defensive Player of the Year

What he brings: Analysts point out that during his time with Rutgers, Greene had a knack for taking advantage of open lanes by tracking down ball-carriers behind the line of scrimmage or from behind. NFL.com also points out that if Greene is unable to make the tackle, he frequently goes for the strip. He also succeeds when blitzing, thanks to his quickness and flexibility. Greene is solid in zone coverage and has had experience at safety.

Where the Patriots could get him: Round 2

Notes: Greene’s father, Raymond Graham, played football at Purdue, while his half-brother, Ray Graham, played at Pittsburgh. Ray, a running back, also is expected to be drafted next month. … In the 2011 Pinstripe Bowl, Greene suffered a broken ankle. The injury forced him to miss 2012 spring practices. In 2012, Greene totaled 136 tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, and six sacks. In his 2011 junior season, when he earned Big East Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors, Greene registered 141 tackles, 14.5 for losses. … In his first two years of college football he played safety before moving to linebacker.

WEEI.com will continue to offer daily insight and analysis regarding options that might be available to the Patriots when it comes to the 2013 NFL draft. Here is one in a series of profiles of players who could be on the board when it’s time for the Patriots to make a selection.

KIKO ALONSO

Position: Outside linebacker

School: Oregon

Height: 6-foot-3

Weight: 238 pounds

Achievements: 2012 All-Pac-12 second team (coaches), 2011 Rose Bowl Defensive Player of the Game

What he brings: Draft analysts and scouts have mentioned Alonso’s versatility as a strength. He has the potential to play either inside or outside linebacker, depending on if the defense is in a 4-3 or 3-4 setup. It is being said that Alonso displays quickness, good timing in blitzes, high intensity and great effort. His quickness helps with tracking down and taking down backs on quick swings in the flats, but also has good football intelligence when playing in different coverage situations. One of Alonso’s greatest physical attributes is his athletic frame and good muscle definition.

Where the Patriots could get him: Round 2 or 3

Notes: In the 2011 Rose Bowl, Alonso made a career-high 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss. … During 2011 winter testing, he posted the top mark among linebackers and third-best overall with a 380-pound bench press. … Alonso spent the 2010 season rehabbing from a knee injury suffered during the spring. He was suspended anyway for that season, due to a DUI arrest. The linebacker also sat out the 2011 season-opener. This came after he was arrested the day after the team’s spring game for breaking into an apartment and eventually passing out from intoxication. … Alonso was born in Newton but grew up in Los Gatos, Calif.

WEEI.com will continue to offer daily insight and analysis regarding options that might be available to the Patriots when it comes to the 2013 NFL draft. Here is one is a series of profiles of players who could be on the board when it’s time for the Patriots to make a selection.

MICHAEL BUCHANAN

Position: Defensive end/linebacker

School: Illinois

Height: 6-foot-5

Weight: 255 pounds

Achievements: 2012, 2011 All-Big Ten second team

What he brings: Buchanan has good height and length for his position. He has an excellent first step and covers a lot of ground. He is good at swatting offensive tackles’ hands off his body to get separation. He also is effective at linebacker, locking up tight ends off the line, and shows hip fluidity and agility to play in coverage.

“I see myself as being able to do a lot of different things,” Buchanan told the Chicago Sun-Times. “Yes, I was asked to play defensive end here. I think I can do that at the next level — put on some more weight and improve my run defense. [But] I also think I can play outside linebacker. I think I’m very versatile. I can do anything a team asks me to do.”

Where the Patriots could get him: Round 3 or later

Notes: In 46 career games (32 starts), Buchanan recorded 161 tackles, 26 tackles for losses, and 14 sacks. In his 2011 junior season, he had 64 tackles and 7.5 sacks as Illinois went 7-6. His senior season was a disappointment, as his production dipped to 57 tackles and 4.5 sacks for a 2-10 Illini team. … In the summer between his junior and senior seasons, Buchanan was involved in an altercation that left him with a broken jaw that was wired shut for a week. He was restricted to an all-liquid diet, which caused him to lose 20 pounds before the season started.